‘Undue favour to contractors’

JKPCC incurs loss of Rs 1.64 cr

BILAL HUSSAIN

In yet another instance of growing nepotism in the state run corporations that results in colossal loss of tens of crores rupees, the latest audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, highlights undue favour to contractor in the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Limited  in Jammu and Kashmir (JKPCC).

According to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report the allotment of work by the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Limited, a government owned company incorporated in 1965, without inviting tenders and payment of unsecured interest free mobilization advance to the contractor resulted in undue favour to contractor and interest loss of Rs 1.64 crore.

The Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Limited (JKPCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with J&K Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) both State Public Sector Undertakings in December, 2006 for construction of Motorable R.C.C Bridge at Ganpat, Doda at a cost of Rs 29.95 crore, which included 15 per cent supervision charges (Company’s share) of Rs 4.49 crore, for completion by February 2009.

An amount of Rs 5.99 crore was received in December 2006/March 2007 by the JKPCC from the JKPDC as Mobilization Advance against a Bank Guarantee for the full amount. The JKPCC allotted the work to a sub-contractor - M/S A.K. Constructions, Jammu in February 2007 at the cost of Rs 25.46 crore for completion within 25 months (by February 2009). The work, however, had not been completed as on June 2011, the report reveals.

The audit scrutiny during February 2011 revealed that the JKPCC, while sub-contracting the work, instead of following a transparent and competitive tendering process, had allotted work to the sub-contractor on the recommendation in January 2007 of a committee set up by the JKPCC which had opined that the said contractor had the capacity to undertake such works and had, in the past, already executed some of the bridge projects with the JKPCC.

The scrutiny of records, however, revealed that though the committee had recommended allotment of work in January 2007, as per records the work had already been started by the contractor in November 2006, rendering the process meaningless. The JKPCC stated in September 2011 that the work had been allotted to the firm by an MOU between the JKPCC and the sub-contractor.

The reply is not tenable as mere entering into an MOU does not absolve the JKPCC of the responsibility of following prescribed procedure laid down in the State Financial Code as well as the guidelines of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) with regard to allotment of contracts, which provide for transparent tendering process, the report highlights.

The CVC guidelines in October 1997/June 2004/April 2007 prohibit payment of unsecured and interest free mobilization advance. The guidelines provided that decision to provide such advance should rest at the level of Board of Directors (with concurrence of Finance) in the organization. The guidelines further provide that the advance should be released in stages depending upon the progress of the work, there should be a security by way of Bank guarantee of an equal amount, a fixed re-payment scheduled and provision of an interest element in the event of failure to repay.

According to the report in violation of the prescribed guidelines, it was seen that the sub-contractor was paid an interest free mobilization advance of Rs 5.09 crore, Rs 1.20 crore in February 2007 and Rs 3.89 crore in March 2007,  immediately on start of the work. However, no safeguards to secure the advance by way of a bank guarantee of equivalent amount were insisted upon even though the JKPCC had itself taken the mobilization advance from the JKPDC against a Bank Guarantee.

The audit noticed that out of total value of work done of Rs 13.06 crore ending June 2011, the contractor had submitted bills to the tune of Rs 3.80 crore in March 2008 and no other claim had been preferred since then. An amount of Rs 1.50 crore only out of the mobilization advance had been adjusted in March 2008 and the balance amount remained unadjusted as of June 2011. The payment of unsecured and interest free mobilization advance paid in violation of the instructions of the CVC, thus, resulted in interest loss of Rs 1.64 crore— calculated at the rates (9.5 per cent, 10.75 per cent and 11.25 per cent) charged by Jammu and Kashmir Bank on state government’s overdraft from time to time— for the period from March 2007 to March 2011 besides, extension of undue favour to the contractor.

The management in August 2011 stated that the advance had been given as per the agreement with the contractor. The reply does not justify payment of advance in violation of guidelines thereby, extending undue benefit to the contractor, CAG report mentions.

The matter was taken up with the government in July 2011; the reply was awaited till October 2011, the report said.

The audit report suggests that the JKPCC should take immediate steps for recovery of the advance and henceforth ensure compliance with the guidelines/rules in the matters of allotment of contracts and mobilization advance.

‘CAPD failed to monitor embezzlement’

BILAL HUSSAIN

The Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD), agency meant for ensuring availability of food grains to the state subjects, has been indicted of misappropriation of food grains stocks by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in its latest audit report said that non-adherence to prescribed system of monitoring and control of the stocks lying in CAPD, store Udhampur, resulted into misappropriation of food grains stocks.

Assistant Director, CAPD, Udhampur in the course of inspection in August 2010 of Food Store, CAPD at Udhampur noticed huge shortages in the food grains stocks. A physical verification ordered in August/November 2010 by the Director CAPD, Jammu revealed shortages in the stock of wheat, atta, rice and sugar to the tune of Rs 64.57 lakh (total shortage: Rs 74.82 lakh less unaccounted permits issue slips: Rs 10.25 lakh) and the store keeper (In-charge), Babu Ram, a class IV employee posted at the Food Store since February 1st,2010 was placed under suspension, the report said.

Subsequent to suspension, the defaulting storekeeper had deposited Rs 16.24 lakh in treasuries at Udhampur and Jammu. Thus, net shortage of food grains worth Rs 48.33 lakh was assessed as recoverable from the defaulting storekeeper, which had remained un-recovered as of August 2011. The case had been referred in August 2010 to Crime Branch Jammu without conducting a departmental enquiry.

The delinquent official, despite being a Class IV employee and entrusted with job of store keeper had been a chronic defaulter, the CAG report reveals. The official had been placed under suspension in September 1993 in Udhampur and reinstated in August 2000 treating the whole period as ‘on duty’.

“We noticed that the Department had not taken any disciplinary action against the official and instead the official had been posted as Storekeeper of the Udhampur store, the biggest in the region, in February 2010. The official after assuming in February 2010 the charge had misappropriated food grains by the end of July 2010.

As per the Departmental Manual, physical verification of food grain stocks, lying in various stores/sale depots, should be conducted by the designated teams of the department during first quarter of succeeding financial year in collaboration with the Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO), Storekeeper and Salesman in position.

The responsibility for arranging the physical verification (PV) lies with the Director who should immediately after the close of financial year constitute a team and fix dates for conducting the verification and submission of Report thereof. The PV report is to be submitted to the Assistant Director of the District concerned and a copy thereof is sent to Director CAPD.

However, the CAG noticed that despite teams for Physical verification of various stores including the Udhampur store having been constituted in June 2010 by the Director CAPD, physical verification of the stocks lying in Udhampur store had not been conducted.

After placing in August 2010 the delinquent storekeeper under suspension, no disciplinary action as warranted under rules had been initiated by the Department, the report mentions. The Director, CAPD department Jammu did not offer in March/August 2011 any reasons for lapses on the part of the department.

The matter was referred to government in September 2011; reply was awaited up till October 2011. “The department must put in place a strong internal control and monitoring mechanism to ensure that pilferages and misappropriations are detected/tapped in a timely manner,” the audit report suggests.

CAG picks holes in LAWDA's Rs 21.45 cr STP projects

BILAL HUSSAIN
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in its civil and commercial report highlights real doubts over the functioning of three Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) managed by Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) at a whopping cost of Rs 9.30 crore in the valley.

The STPs are designed for removing impurities present in wastewater in the form of floating material, suspended solids, biodegradable organics and  pathogens. The report reveals that despite the doubts expressed by the Ministry of Urban and Poverty Alleviation,  Government of India (GOI)  over the effectiveness of these treatment plants in cold conditions and the  sustainability of their huge maintenance cost, the construction work of the STPs  was allotted in August 2004 by LAWDA to M/S Thermax at a cost of Rs 8.90  crore (Habak: Rs 2.42 crore, Laam: Rs 2.82 crore and Hazratbal: Rs 3.66 core) for  completion in nine months.

However, the STP at Hazratbal, Habak and Laam were  commissioned in February 2006, April 2006 and October 2006, respectively with time overruns of nine to 17 months.

The six STPs Hazratbal, Laam, Habbak, Brari Nambal, Nallah Aaamir Khan and Hotel Welcome  estimated to cost Rs 21.45 crore were projected to be constructed in the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) . Out of these, three STPs Laam, Hazratbal and Habbak  were taken up in the first phase at a cost of Rs 9.30  crore. The construction of two STPs (Brari Nambal and Nala Amir Khan) was under progress as of March 2011 and STP at Hotel Welcome was amalgamated with the one at  Brari Nambal.

The CAG report highlights that tests of outflow of the two (Hazratbal, Habak) STPs conducted in August 2006 by LAWDA, however, showed that despite receiving treatment, the concentration  of nutrients present in the wastewater had increased at the outflow stage vis-à- vis inflow stage.

Earlier the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year ended March 2006 has detailed that the percentage  efficiencies of the STPs had ranged between 63.39 and (-) 366.3. Further, tests/monitoring (October 2008, March 2009 and January 2010) by the Authority had confirmed the increase in the nutrients at the outflow stage which was indicative of the fact that the STPs had not been  functioning to the desired levels. Other parameters which define the purity of  water too were inadequate and did not match the prescribed norms, report said.

The aggregate amount of Rs 11.05 crore (Habak: Rs 3.13 crore, Hazratbal: Rs 4.36 crore and Laam: Rs 3.56  crore) spent on construction of these three STPs had, thus, proved counterproductive for the health of the lake, the report laments.

The Vice Chairperson of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) --an autonomous body under development Act, 1970 to look after, manage and conserve the water bodies and waterways of J&K-- while admitting in September 2011 that Ammonical Nitrogen and  phosphorous contents had been found to be inconsistent stated that the firm had  been directed to optimise the process to achieve the desired results.

“No steps  had, however, been taken to arrest the problem. The Scientific Advisory  Committee (SAC) of LAWDA which was concerned over the functioning of the  STPs, decided in June 2009 either to install de-nitrification units for the STPs or  create artificial wetlands. The fact remains that the decision to install the de- nitrification plants or creation of the artificial wetlands had to be taken in view  of improper functioning of the STPs not provided in the DPR,” it said.
It was also seen  that the firm had also not conducted any internal assessment of the sewage  characteristics to modify the design of STPs so as to ensure that the plants were  able to function to the desired extent as per agreed terms. The payments made to  the firm in view of the stipulation regarding payments to be made to  the agency after satisfactory performance of the STPs were questionable. The  reasons, though called for, were not furnished, the report said.

An on-the-spot verification of the three completed STPs showed that sewage  collection chambers in all three STPs were without any covering/roof causing air  pollution and foul smell. The VC in reply stated that providing of covering /roof  was not provided in the contract and were not required at all. “The reply was not acceptable as during a spot visit to the area it was found that the sewage collection chambers were emitting a very foul smell,” it reads.
Keeping in view the environmental concerns of the lake, CAG suggested that a disaster management system should have been in place to overcome the  problem that would arise in the event of the STPs becoming non-functional  owing to power/machine failure, technical fault, etc. It was,  however, seen that  no planning was done by LAWDA to meet any such eventuality.

Education dept retains Rs 379 cr resulting in non-implementation of programmes

BILAL HUSSAIN

Ridiculing various implementation agencies in the educational sector in Jammu and Kashmir, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its report lamented that rupees worth tens of crores were retained and not released for respective activities resulting in un-synchronization of the programmes on ground.

The CAG report mentions that to achieve the intended objectives of ‘the education for all’, the government of India (GOI) /state government released funds (centre/state share) in favour of the State Implementing Society (SIS) for further release to  the District implementing society for implementation of the programme for onward transmission to the Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs). “Funds for Teaching Learning Equipment (TLE), Teacher Learning Material (TLM) and school Maintenance Grants (SMG) are credited by the ZEOs to the joint Bank accounts of School Education Committees and Village education Committees,” the resport said.

The report while providing details said that the State Implementing Society (SIS) had retained huge balances ranging between Rs 11 crore and Rs 379 crore during 2006 to 2011 indicating that funds had not been released to the CEOs in full. “It was also seen that release of funds by the CEOs (Chief Education Officer) to the Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) was not in synchronization with the pace of implementation of the programme  at the ground level, thus, resulting in parking  of huge funds in Saving Bank accounts at all levels (CEOs/ZEOs/Schools). As a result, the balances with the six test-checked CEOs also increased from Rs 29 crore ending March 2006 to Rs 85.16 crore at the close of March 2011,” it said.

It was also seen in 34 test-checked zones that funds had been released routinely by the CEOs without having regard to the actual requirements which had contributed to accumulation of unspent bank balances of Rs 58.85 crore with the ZEOs. “On being pointed out, it was intimated that the funds were released without having been requisitioned.  Reasons for release of funds without being requisitioned were not intimated,” the report mentions.

The CAG audit observed poor utilization of funds under the programmes resulting in huge unspent balances at the close of the financial years at all the levels. “The department had failed to provide basic amenities and facilities to students,” it said.

Despite all efforts of the GOI and the state government, providing ‘Education to all’ still remains a distant dream. “Non-preparation of long and short-term plans based on ground realities, non-monitoring of schemes at all the levels and inadequate internal control mechanism had hampered implementation of the programmes at the school/zonal levels,” the report added.

According to the report mid-term appraisal of ongoing programs like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Mid-day Meal (MDM) had not been conducted for possible corrections, if needed. Cases of financial irregularities viz. advances paid and awaited adjustment accounts, diversion of funds, abandoned school buildings resulting in unproductive expenditure were noticed in a large number of cases which had dented programme implementation. Huge unspent balances were noticed at every level.

“Action plans should be linked to grass root indicators and performance and prepared by dovetailing funds from different sources to adopt a holistic approach to derive maximum benefit out of investments. Effective monitoring at all levels, revival of systematic and strong internal control system, conducting of inspections by top and middle level functionaries should be established to give a boost to the ongoing programme,” the report recommended.

JKCCC blocked Rs 45.28 lakh on foundation

‘Wasteful expenditure due to deficient planning’

BILAL HUSSAIN

Highlighting the inefficient expenditure by the state run public corporation, J&K State Cable Car Corporation, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its latest report says it is due to deficient planning of the concerned agencies.

According to the report the corporation embarked on one of the projects without proper planning that resulted in blocking of Rs 45.28 lakh for about five years and wasteful expenditure of Rs17.77 lakh.

The Managing Director, J&K State Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) issued August 2006 orders for construction of a centrally heated restaurant to be constructed at Apharwat Gulmarg without Administrative approval (AA)/Technical sanction (TS) or approval by the Board of Directors (BoD), the report mentioned.

“We noticed March 2010 that the structural designs for the restaurant were got prepared August 2006 by a consultant. The work orders for supply, erection, fixing, cutting and  hoisting of structural steel were issued October 2006 to a firm at an estimated cost of Rs 90.65 lakh,” CAG report said.

In December 2006 the firm supplied the ordered quantity of 870 quintals of structural steel for which an amount of Rs 60.90 lakh was paid by the company. The company simultaneously allotted base work of the restaurant to piece workers and an amount of Rs 17.37 lakh had been incurred as of March 2007. “It was seen that apart from  supply of the steel, no other components of the work order viz., erection, fixing, cutting  and hosting of structural steel design had been undertaken by the firm concerned with the  result the steel supplied had not been used as of March 2010,” the report said.

According to the report it was seen that a committee constituted in March 2007 by the BoD, to ascertain the status of work, noticed that the steel members supplied were of ‘very high specifications and had ordered for its disposal and construction of the restaurant by erection of a structure similar to the one that had been erected by army for its use at Apharwat.’

However, no action to start the works on foundation works already executed or to dispose off the material was taken till October 2010 when the Company allotted the construction work to J&K Housing Board (Board) at an estimated cost of Rs 2.59 crore. It was, however, seen (July 2011) that the Board had lifted only 200 quintals of steel valued at ` 15.62 lakh for meeting of its full requirement for the restaurant, the report said.

The remaining quantity of 670 quintals valued at Rs 45.28 lakh was lying un-utilized and the Corporation contemplated its disposal by way of transfer to other needy Public Sector Undertakings or state government departments which, however, was pending as of September 2011.

It was also revealed that the foundation already constructed had not been put to use by the Board as the new restaurant was being constructed at a place away from the previous location. “This had resulted in non-utilization of the already constructed plinth and thus, rendered the expenditure incurred on it wasteful,” the report lamented.

“The action of the corporation in embarking upon the project without proper planning resulted in blocking of Rs 45.28 lakh for about five years and wasteful expenditure of  Rs17.77 lakh,” the report highlights.

The matter was referred to the Government in September 2011, reply was awaited till October 2011. The Company must refrain from taking up works in an adhoc manner and without Administrative approvals and Technical Sanction. Planning and implementation  aspects should be given due consideration to avoid loss on account of faulty project implementations.

Deviations hit Rs 4794 lakhs water supply programme in J&K

BILAL HUSSAIN

SRINAGAR, Mar 11: The Accelerated Urban Water Supply Programme (AUWSP) which was started in Jammu and Kashmir in the year 2003-04 is yet to see completion here. According to an evaluation study conducted by Directorate of Economics and Statistics the deviations from the set norms of the projects have resulted in their incompletion.

The study mentions that 11 towns were approved for augmentation under the programme at an estimated cost of Rs 4794.73 lakhs, out of which the department claimed to have completed 7 towns by the end of 2009-10.

“Though AUWSP has now been replaced by Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) but incomplete projects need to be completed out of other sources including state resources in case central assistance from government for their completion is not forth coming otherwise investment already made will become infectious,” the evaluation report suggests. Adding that the departments should execute projects strictly as per project components as deviations from the projects have resulted in their incompletion.

The study said that seven towns have been completed under AUWSP but there were deviations from approved components of projects particularly in respect of Kupwara, Kulgam and Nagri Parole towns.

In Kupwara town, important components like: Filtration plant, presetting tank, service reservoir etc. which needs to be executed on priority were neglected and focus was given to construction of office building, boundary wall and other unproductive components.

The information on population coverage under 70 Litres Per Capita Daily (LPCD), 40 LPCD, and 25 LPCD should have been available with the department and properly documented. Equally, the information with regard to increase in the water supply, storage capacity, filtration capacity as a result of AUWSP implementation should have been available but unfortunately these information were not available with the department for addressing the drinking water requirements in the state, the study revels.

The augmentation project of Achabal Town was phased out from 2003-04 to 2009-10 at an estimated cost of Rs 389.92 lakhs. The project was completed within the stipulated timeframe at an original estimated cost. However, analysis of the expenditure revealed that certain deviations were also made which deprived masses from full benefit of the project.

The projected report for augmentation of water supply in Kupwara town under AUWSP was of the order of Rs 7.33 crore. The items which happen to be of secondary nature, like construction of office buildings, compound walling spending of huge amounts under provision of contingencies were given undue priority at the cost of priority works which resulted in incompletion of main components of the scheme despite of full expenditure.

The augmentation Plan to accelerate the water supply in Kulgam town was also taken up in 2003-04 and continued till 2009-10. The Project was estimated to cost Rs 616.82 lakhs for completion. The official data puts the utilization amount on different components of the scheme at Rs 613.30 lakhs. The reason ascertained for non completion of the projects was deviation from project report.

The augmentation of water supply under AUWSP in respect of Nagri Parole town of Kathua district was taken-up in the year 2004-05 and completed in 2008-09. The project was estimated to cost Rs 255.10 lakhs and was completed within the original cost although some re-appropriations were made among different components of the scheme.

While, in Ganderbal town which is now headquarter of district Ganderbal was also covered under AUWSP. The augmentation plan was prepared at an estimated cost of ` Rs 394.84 lakhs and was completed by the end of March 2010 by utilizing Rs 384.99 lakhs. After augmentation, the PHE department reported that the water supply at the rate of 70 LPCD to 23323 souls and at the rate of 40 LPCD to 2591 souls is being provided. In addition to this, it also covered floating population of 2387 persons. Thus in all, it had covered a total population of 28301 through a network of 2395 domestic connections and 135 Public Stand Posts.

In Thanamandi town of Rajouri district was taken-up for augmentation in 2004-05 at an estimated cost of Rs 172.58 lakhs and completed in 2008-09 within the original cost. By completing the project, the PHE department reported to have achieved the intended objectives of providing water supply to the town, but some areas were still found under water scarcity zone as per norms.

Lack of teachers affect education schemes in J&K

BILAL HUSSAIN

SRINAGAR, Mar 4: Highlighting the need for induction of more teachers in J&K, the latest evaluation study on Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) in the state by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics reveals that the placement of teaching staff in the schools as per set norms had not kept pace with the opening and upgradation of schools as observed in case of sample schools.

The study mentions that on the scale of norms, the deficiency of staff in the sample schools was of the magnitude of 27 per cent which is quite large. The schools which were running in deficiency of staff were 67 per cent. In district Leh, the staff in the sample schools was in excess of norms, evidently involving cases of undesirable attachments left other schools suffer where from these attachments were made.

“The establishment of schools and their upgradation would in no way pave way for achievement of universalistic of primary and elementary education unless it is supported by placement of sufficient teaching staff,” the study said.

While examining the official data made available by the SSA authorities on the achievements made under the programme and reviewing the ground level situation of the interventions spelt-out in the SSA norms, it has come to light that SSA authorities had distinguished itself in establishing/upgrading schools.

However, the situation of other interventions such as interventions for children belonging to nomadic, Training of Community Leaders, provision for disabled children etc. “was very poor mainly due to poor weightage given to such interventions,” the sudy stresses. For all round development of the child universalistic of education and to improve the quality of education, the unattended interventions needs to be addressed for ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth , it suggests.

The drop outs among the 223 sample schools were aggregating to 131 from class I to Class VIII at the rate of 1.06 percent while calculating it on the basis of enrollment of children for the year 2008-09.

The inquiry conducted at the grass root level revealed that in most of the schools there were problems of accommodation, low staff, lack of kitchen for cooking Mid day meals, lack of drinking water/toilet facilities, furniture etc. besides delay in release of grants particularly at the level of ZEOs, the evaluations mentions.

“In most of the districts, the supervisions and inspections of schools by BRCs/CRCs/DIETs was very poor which needs to be addressed to impart quality education,” it said.

According to the study the main reason of the drop outs and “Out of School” children as put forth by the parents was their poor economic condition. This could be neutralized if proper sensitization and awareness about various economic incentives in-built in the scheme is given to the stakeholders including parents. The involvement of NGOs in the implementation of SSA is also stressed.

Some of the interventions are yet to be addressed. Undue emphasis to certain interventions at the cost of others have been observed,” it emphasizes.

Although a perceptible improvement of education facilities by opening of schools, in terms of enhancement of enrollment, reduction in drop-out rates at various levels have taken place but unattended interventions for attracting children belonging to SC/STs particularly nomadic and mentally disabled students, Residential Hostels for Girls, Training of Community Leaders, constitutions of innovation Cells needs to be addressed in a big way besides mobilization/involvement of all stakeholders in a missionary mode. Besides, the scheme needs to be implemented in convergence mode with other programmes of line departments.

‘Poor operations result in 88pc slash in financial assistance’

BILAL HUSSAIN

SRINAGAR, Mar 2: The poor utilization of central assistance by the health and medical education department in J&K has resulted into slash down of assistance by Government of India during the years 2008-09 and 2009-10 by 63 per cent and 88 per cent respectively compared to the release of 2007-08, Economic Survey 2012 reveals.

According to the report concrete steps need to be initiated by the department to ensure full utilization of funds in consonance with the guidelines for availing maximum central assistance besides evolving appropriate monitoring mechanism to ensure optimum utilization of funds.

While giving an overview of the physical achievements of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in J&K— a flagship programme of Ministry of Health, Family Welfare and MCH, GoI was launched in December 2005— the report reveals that during first four years of implementation of the NRHM mission: 2006-07 to 2009-10, “the progress was very slow and thus no tangible results were achieved. From the physical achievements profile, it could be inferred that much emphasis had been given for procurement of software and sensitization of stakeholders in the initial stage,” the report laments.

The economic survey discloses that shortage of various categories of staff in sample Community Health Centres (CHCs)was responsible for poor implementation of the programme. “During the field inquiry, it was observed that in the sample CHCs, the in-position specialists were 18 during 2009-10 against the requirement of 35. Similarly the requirement of staff nurses as per NRHM norms was 45, where as the number of in-position nurses were 23 thereby showing a deficit of 22,” the report divulges.

A separate AYUSH set-up was seen provided in 4 sample CHCs while as no such arrangement was provided in sample CHC of Jammu district, report points.

“Lack of infrastructure including residential quarters was also partially responsible for not ensuring round the clock functioning of Primary Health Centres (PHCs),” the report identifies. In the sample PHCs, the situation with respect to skilled manpower, equipments and drug supply were found below the norms of NRHM. However, the norms set under NRHM for the selection of ASHA were fulfilled to a great extent, it adds.

However, the report also mentions that the functioning of sample Health Institutions viz PHCs/CHCs/Sub-Centres had undergone a positive change during the Mission Period 2005-06 to 2009-10. “There seemed a sharp increase in the number of patients treated (both Indoor & Outdoor), patients referred and institutional deliveries made,” it added.